4 Ways Teens Can Prepare To Become A Good Web Developer

Web developers are among the most in-demand talents in the tech industry. The job pays well and will remain relevant in the foreseeable future. The US Bureau of Labor predicts the job market for web developers will expand by as much as 13% from 2020 to 2030. Seeing how everything is digitized and moved online today, this trend can only be expected to continue. 

Apart from being highly valued and futureproof, it’s also a relatively easier career to get into. Contrary to what many people think, web development is significantly easier to learn over traditional professions. Programming, which is at the core of web development, can be learned by most people without going to a university, regardless of age. 

It’s never too late to learn to program. Children might find it easier to build a web development career, given they have years of a headstart, but it doesn’t mean starting later is not viable. If you’re a teen who suddenly acquired an interest in programming and hopes to build a great career, you would be glad to know you will not be handicapped for not preparing earlier. Here are 4 ways teens can Prepare to become a good web developer:

Inform your parents or guardians

Yes, this seems to be an unnecessary step, but if you want a better chance at being a good developer, you’ll need the support of your parents or guardians, especially since you’re still underaged. If the people responsible for you are aware of your interest in getting into a web development career, they will be able to help you in any way they can.

They might be friends with people in the industry, and they might even provide you with the tools you need in your learning journey. If they happen to be well-versed in the field themselves, then you’ve already got yourself a personal instructor. 

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Familiarize yourself with the field

Depending on how much you already know about programming, web development, and every adjacent field, this process might take a while. If you’re starting from scratch, it’s advisable to focus on familiarizing yourself with programming languages, technologies, and tools associated with web development.

Again, how long this familiarization will take will depend on your prior knowledge or experience, but rest assured, this isn’t difficult. The Internet can provide you access to a nigh-unlimited library of resources, most of which you don’t even have to pay for. 

If you’ve already dabbled in programming when you were younger and already had a considerable amount of knowledge and experience, you can proceed to the more advanced areas of web development or spend more time improving skills on the basics. Otherwise, you would want to study the following:

• HTML/CSS – These are markup languages typically used for building basic websites. HTML (Hypertext markup language) focuses on the structure, while CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) focuses on style.
• JavaScript – Many dynamic and interactive features that make websites responsive are supported by this popular programming language.
• Database Management – Modern websites have to interact with databases to some degree. Familiarize yourself with popular database management systems such as MySQL and MongoDB.
• Libraries and Development Frameworks – Web development is comprised of back-end and front-end development, and you would need to expand your knowledge on these if you want to build a website from scratch. You can start by studying Bootstrap, Node.js, and React.js, some of the most popular development libraries and frameworks today.
• PHP and Scripting – Many modern websites rely on content management systems like WordPress. These systems often use PHP, a scripting language used for developing dynamic websites. 

Choose a learning path

As mentioned, going to a university is not necessary for learning web development, but it’s still an option. As a teen, taking up a programming course in a university is not a bad move as you’re still not tied to a particular field. You’ll be able to make the most of your time in university and benefit fully from the theoretical and practical experience you will earn, not to mention the portfolio of projects you can build. Still, you need to consider if going to a university suits your learning style and if it’s within your financial means.

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If you’ve decided college is not the path for you but still would want some sort of support and structure to your learning, joining a coding boot camp is ideal for you. Unlike a college degree, a boot camp can make you a professional-level coder in as little as three months.

It also offers greater flexibility in schedule and is much less expensive. You can expect to participate in individual or group activities, work on hands-on projects, and attend scheduled classes under supportive instructors.

Another path you can take is self-directed learning. This route offers the most flexibility and freedom but the least support and structure. In self-directed learning, you’ll rely on online resources and self-motivation to learn. You can take online self-pacing coding courses, which provide access to an extensive library of quality resources and allows you to follow a curriculum, introducing a bit of structure to your learning.

These courses are reasonably priced and allow you to learn at your own pace. Furthermore, you can watch tutorial videos or search for projects to follow to grow your knowledge and skillset – whichever works best for you. 

Think of your career direction

As much as it’s great to be an all-rounder web developer, you’re still strongly advised to choose a specialty. Your career direction choices are full-stack development, back-end development, and front-end development. You’ll get a clear understanding of these three as you study, so consider which direction you think is best for you. 

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Conclusion

Following what’s discussed above should get you sufficiently prepared for a career in web development. But keep in mind that these are just the basics. There’s still plenty of work to be done, especially more studying and practicing. Fortunately, you’ve got a lot of time as a teen.